Edo furniture was created during a flourishing time for the decorative arts owing to the stability of the Tokugawa shogunate rule in Japan. Spanning from 1603 to 1867, this era of peace and economic growth supported artistic advancements in lacquer, woodblock printing, porcelain and other artisanal trades. Because the country was largely isolated, there was little outside influence, leading to centuries of exceptional attention to the design of its furnishings and the quality of its traditional arts.
Unlike during the Meiji period that followed, with an increase in domestic and international markets, furniture during the Edo period was predominately commissioned by the ruling class, although people from across social groups benefited from the burgeoning metropolitan hubs for artisanal trades. For instance, Kyoto became a major center for lacquer art. Most furniture pieces were made from wood such as cedar or ash, including the era’s sashimono cabinets, which involved fine joinery and were rooted in the Heian period.
Sashimono cabinets, which were built by master craftsmen in a range of different wood types owing to the various trees that populate Japan, occasionally featured a stack of slender drawers as well as sliding doors. They were popular with everyone from samurai to kabuki actors. Tansu storage chests crafted from wood with metal fittings were also common in Edo-period homes. Some were designed to be easily portable while others were made to double as staircases.
Painted folding screens, called byōbu, were also fashionable, with Japanese artists inspired by nature, literature and scenes of history and daily life to create vivid works. In Buddhist temples and the palatial homes of the aristocratic class, fusuma, or large sliding panels, would sometimes be adorned with gold or silver leaf. These dividers allowed interiors to change throughout the day, closing in small spaces for personal use or reflecting candlelight to illuminate communal spaces after dark.
Find a collection of Edo tables, lighting, decorative objects, wall decorations and more furniture on 1stDibs.
$9,000
Japanese Kuruma-dansu
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Japanese Kuruma-dansu, a wheeled storage chest traditionally kept in the Kura (storeroom) for the specific purpose of containing valuables, thus the wheeled carriage for a quick exit...
Wood
Antique Ko-Imari Edo Period Japanese Porcelain Dish, 17th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice blue and white dish of moulded shape. Unusual painting. Early Edo period. Dating to 1680-1700 Reference: CJA Jorg - Fine and Curious Additional information: Material...
Porcelain
Antique Arita Edo Period 17th C Japanese Porcelain Dish Ming Kraak Style Flowers
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice blue and white dish, in the style of similar Ming period early 17th century pieces. Beautiful decoration. Edo period. Condition Perfect condition. Size: 36CM Diameter ...
Porcelain
Mid Century Studio Pottery Tea Server, Stoneware & Rattan, Edo Style
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine studio pottery Tea Server with fine form and craftsmanship. The pot with decorative free form foliate decoration in brown and blue on a pleasing spotted oyster background and ...
Stoneware, Rattan
Antique Japanese Woodblock - Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Japan, 1839-1892) - The Gho
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description The Ghost of Yaehatahime and Akamatsu Jūtamaru Takanori Alternate Title: Yaehatahime no bōrei Akamatsu Jūtamaru Takanori Series: Beauty and Valor in the Novel Suikoden Ts...
Paper
Late 18th Century Japanese Framed Painting, God of Thunder by Yamaguchi Soken
Located in Kyoto, JP
Raijin - God of Thunder Yamaguchi Soken (1759-1818) Mid to Late Edo period, circa 1800. Framed painting. Ink and light color on paper. This humorous painting depicts the Thunder God, Raijin, tumbling from the sky, presumably being struck down by one of his own lighting bolts. He clings to one drumstick as the other is in free-fall along with his Taiko drums...
Paper
Antique Edo Period 1750-1800 Japanese Arita Plate with a Great landscape scene
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description Very happy with this new arrival. Arita plate with a landscape scene. Circa 1750-1800 Marked at the base with a six character mark. Condition Small Chip. Size: 21.4cm ...
Porcelain
Miniature Antique Edo Period Ca 1700 Japanese Porcelain pot Imari Red
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description Sharing with you this very sweet and small teapot in imari palette. Flower scene. On 3 feet. Condition: Lid perfect. restoration to spout. Size: 9x6CM LengthxHeight C...
Porcelain
Antique Chinese Vase Late Qing Dynasty or Republic Porcelain Made into a Lamp
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Top quality vase Meiji era (1868-1912), 19th century Interesting article about Japanese Cloisonne can be found here; https://www.sothebys .com/en/articles/japanese-cloisonne-enamels...
Porcelain
Woodblock Print Comical Views of Famous Places in Edo by Hiroshige Hirokage
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Utagawa Hirokage (active 1855-1865) Series: Comical Views of Famous Places in Edo Number: 40 "Towboats on the Yotsugi-dori Canal" Medium: Woodblock Print Date: 1859 Form...
Paper
Japanese Painting 17th c Edo Scroll Triptyque Kano Chikanobu Buddhist Painting
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
TheItem below was painted approximately 300 years ago by Kano Chikanobu. In the center is a depiction of a deer hermit, on the right is a landscape of a tower that gives a sense of ...
Silk
Antique Metal Japanese Tsuba Tosogu with Chinese Coins, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nicely made Tsuba. The piece is unmarked. Dating to the Edo period Provenance: Collected in the 1920’s. Thence by decent A Tsuba is a Japanese sword mountings are the various housi...
Bronze
Lovely Japanese 19th c Edo Scroll Okumura Sekiran Nihonga Painting Mountain
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
"Early Summer Colored Waterfall" is a work drawn by Sekiran Okumura as you can see. The brilliance of the fresh greenery and the cool, powerful presence of the waterfall are overw...
Silk
A great bowl dating to most probably the second last quarter of the 17th century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nice & Beautiful Arita Japanese Porcelain Kendi. Floral and figural scene. This 17th Century Japanese Export Porcelain Jug or Ewer, Arita Kilns c.1670-1690 is painted in lovely blue...
Porcelain
Japanese Kobako box in the form of a furoshiki present in gold and black lacquer
Located in PARIS, FR
Rectangular and flat lacquer Kobako (small box) representing a furoshiki knot seen from above. Fundame background, furoshiki in takamaki-e with floral pattern, inside the folds of th...
Gold
Antique Metal Japanese Tsuba Tosogu with Buddhist Clouds in Silver, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nicely made Tsuba. The piece is unmarked. Dating to the Edo period Provenance: Collected in the 1920’s. Thence by decent A Tsuba is a Japanese sword mountings are the various housi...
Bronze
Antique Metal Japanese Tsuba Tosogu with Floral Flowers in Landscape
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nicely made Tsuba. The piece is unmarked. Dating to the Edo period Provenance: Collected in the 1920's. Thence by decent A Tsuba is a Japanese sword mountings are the various housi...
Metal, Bronze
Antique 1670-1700 Japanese Arita Kakiemon Unusual shaped Bowl Flowers Shibata
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Description Very happy with this new arrival. Octagonal Arita kakiemon bowl of unusual shape and design. Period; 1670- 1680 Condition 1 small chip a...
Porcelain
Japanese Shino Ware Chawan Tea Bowl by Toyoda Katsuhiko
Located in Atlanta, GA
A modern Japanese ceramic tea bowl (chawan) made by potter Toyoda Katsuhiko (1945-). The bowl was potted in clog form with a short ring foot in the tradition of Shino ware...
Ceramic
Antique Okimono Japanese Sumo Wrestling Frogs Sculpture, 19/20th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Lovely and very detailed piece. Unigned. Japan 19th or early 20th century. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: Japan Period: 18th century Japan D...
Porcelain
A Rare Miniature 17C Edo period Ko-Kutani / Ko-Imari Porcelain Leaf Dish
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A great dish dating to most probably the second half of the 17th century, delicate painting and shape. Very interesting small size. We have found a similar Japanese dishes in the sh...
Porcelain
Japanese Nihonga Painting 19th Meiji Scroll Tajika Chikuson Landscape Nanga
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
[Authentic Artwork] ◆ Chikuson Tajika ◆ Autumn Landscape ◆ Master: Naoiri Tanomura ◆ Oita Prefecture ◆ Hand-Painted ◆ Silk Mounted ◆ Hanging Scroll ◆ Delve into the artistry of Chik...
Silk
Antique Ko-Imari Edo Period 17C Japanese Porcelain Box Arita PEACOCK
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice blue and white vase. Unusual painting. Early Edo period. Dating to 1660-1680 Similar objects in the book Porcelain fro Palaces and Fine and Curious Condition Both lid...
Porcelain
Japanese Blue Gold Cream Porcelain Charger by Contemporary Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Exquisite contemporary Japanese Ko-Imari style large decorative porcelain charger, hand painted in gold, blue, cream and red, a signed masterpiece by widely acclaimed award-winning m...
Porcelain
Antique Japanese Woodblock by Utagawa Kunisada I, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Utagawa Kunisada I (Honjo, Edo 1786-1865 Edo) Ichikawa Danjuro as Kudo Saemon Provenance: From the collection of Clemens Merkelbach van Enkhuizen, A well known Dutch painter and art...
Paper
Fine Japanese Split Bamboo Flower Gathering Basket for Ikebana
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well crafted and elegant Japanese Flower Gathering Basket crafted from split and wound Bamboo in a fine deep stain. With a joined double ring handle and upturned oval basket. Signe...
Bamboo
Very rare Antique Ca 1700 Japanese Porcelain Grisaille Decorated Teapot
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated teapot. Unique decoration. Hard to find. We have an example in our private collection and this is the third one we have seen in 10 years. Condition chip to s...
Porcelain
Antique Kraak Edo Period Japanese Porcelain Ewer with Flowers Arita, 1680-1690
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this very nice edo period, 1680-1700, example. With a garden floral scene in the style of Chinese Wanli period pieces. Unmarked at base Arita ware, also known as Arita-yaki...
Porcelain
Lovely Japanese 18/19th c Edo Scroll Triptyque , Fuji, Dragon Flowers
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This is a pair of Edo period pieces, each with a beautiful ``cherry blossoms and swallow'', ``Fuji and rising dragon'', and ``wild geese'' . ■Silk book, handpainted ■Condition: T...
Silk
Antique Ko-Kutani Style Bakumatsu Edo Period Japanese Dish Arita, 19th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice shaped polychrome dish of moulded shape. Unusual shape and painting. With overglaze blue and underglaze blue. Molded heightened decoration with relief. Absolute top quali...
Porcelain
Large Antique 18/19th C Japanese Edo Porcelain Blue White Floral Charger
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A Large and very nicely decorated Japanese Porcelain charger. Deep cobalt colors with a cool kind of blurry scene flowers, which must be Peony flowers. The base has a nice Qianlon...
Porcelain
Japanese Six Panel Screen Battle of Uji Bridge
Located in Hudson, NY
The first battle at Uji was in 1180 and was the beginning of the Heike Wars. This screen depicts a famous scene from the Heike Wars. Two Heike generals, Sasaki Takatsuna and Kajiwa...
Gold Leaf
JAPAN Edo Period 1850 Amida Nyorai Buddha Sculpture In Gilt Carved Wood
Located in Miami, FL
An Amida Nyorai Sculpture In Gilt Carved Wood from the Edo Period. This is a superbly refined carved wooden figure of Amida Nyorai (Amitabha), the Buddha of Infinite Light, with fab...
Gold, Bronze, Gold Leaf
Late 18th Century/Edo-Meiji Period Japanese Glazed Porcelain Sculpture of a Dog
Located in North Miami, FL
Late 18th century/Edo-Meiji period japanese glazed porcelain sculpture of a dog By: unknown Material: porcelain Technique: molded, pressed, glazed Dimensions: 5.5 in x 7.5 in x 5 Da...
Porcelain
Japanese Nihonga Painting 19th c Edo Scroll by Seiki Yokoyama Landscape Shijo
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
[Authentic work] ◆ Seiki Yokoyama ◆ Landscape ◆ Rural landscape ◆ Japanese painting ◆ Shijo school ◆ Hand-painted ◆ Paperback ◆ Hanging scroll ◆ Seiki Yokoyama [Art yearbook appra...
Silk
Green Porcelain Vase by Contemporary Japanese Master Artist
Located in Takarazuka, JP
Contemporary decorative Porcelain vase, intricately hand painted in green on an attractive shape body, a signed work by highly acclaimed master porcelain artist of the Imari-Arita re...
Porcelain
Antique Ko-Imari Edo Period 17C Japanese Porcelain Lid rest Arita FLOWERS
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice blue and white vase. Unusual painting. Early Edo period. Dating to 1660-1680
Porcelain
Rare and Fine Antique Japanese Ceramic Ko-Satsuma Chaire Tea Caddy
Located in Atlanta, GA
A ceramic tall chaire (Tea caddies) ko-satsuma type from Edo period Japan circa 18th century. This type of small jar was made of stoneware. Its specific form with raised shoulder and...
Ceramic
Wabi Sabi Style Japanese Found Wood Scholar’s Object
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A dramatic and beautifully timeworn Japanese Wood Sculpture in vaguely anthropomorphic form balanced on five points and fashioned from a particula...
Wood
Japanese Zushi Traveling Shrine of Aizen Myō-ō, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
A simple exterior of black lacquer belies the splendor within this late 19th-century Japanese traveling shrine (zushi). The hinged doors open to reveal a lustrous gold interior and a...
Wood
Japanese Statue Bizen Pottery Monkey by Koyama Isso, 20th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
1932- bizen pottery of a sitting Monkey. Marked at the back. Real name is Mitsuo. Eldest son of Koyama Gengo, pen name is Koyama Isso. Worked for a local brickmaking company but lat...
Porcelain
Antique 1660-1700 Japanese Polychrome Plate Landscape Dragon Phoenix
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
An Arita deep dish Edo Period ( 17th century) Decorated in overglaze enamel on underglaze blue. Flowers, landscape, Dragon and calligraphy Color bursting from it. Period; 1660- 17...
Porcelain
Set of 3 Antique Japanese Porcelain Garniture Vases Blood & Milk, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this amazing set for decorating your home. Interesting and beautifully made. 3 porcelain Arita baluster vases with covers. All decorated with with a nice floral decoration i...
Porcelain
Unique Antique Chinese Vase in Imperial Style in Dragons Hirado, ca 1830
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Sharing this very rare Japanese Edo vase. Damaged and ground down. A very rare Edo period copy of a Chinese Imperial vase. Dating to around 1830. Possibly Hi...
Porcelain
Antique Japanese Porcelain Edo Period Bowl with landscape, Japan, ca 1800
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique Edo Period Bowl With landscape Japan ca 1800 Japanese Porcelain. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: Japan...
Porcelain
Kuniyaki Tea Bowls and Tray Set After Nonomura Ninsei Japan
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Kuniyaki Tea Bowls and Tray Set After Nonomura Ninsei Japan. Kuniyaki tea bowls set, after Ninsei. Kuniyaki Tea Bowls and Tray Japan black porcelain...
Porcelain
Rare Japanese Ceramic Glazed Inro with Ojime and Netsuke Ogata Kenzan Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Japanese four-section inro made from ceramic with glazed painting with original ensuite Ojime and Netsuke circa 18th century of Edo period signed by Ogata Kenzan (1663–1743). The r...
Ceramic
Japanese Lacquer Box, Kogo, Tale of Genji, Edo Period, early 19th century, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Japanese small lacquer box for precious incense, kogo, Edo period, mid 19th century, Japan. The small box of gold lacquer and wonderfully dec...
Pewter
Antique circa 1700 Japanese Edo Porcelain Blue White Dish Figures Ladies
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nicely decorated Japanese Porcelain dish in Chinese style. Marked at base. There is an underglaze blue bird mark at the base. The central scene is of a busy pagoda garde...
Porcelain
Antique Japanese Porcelain Edo Period Tea Bowl Floral Bird Imari, c. 1700
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Porcelain decorated in underglaze cobalt blue and overglaze red. This is a marriage, a combination between 2 sets. Edo , c. 1700 Tea Bowl and dish. Additional information: Materia...
Porcelain
Antique Woodblock Print, People from Foreign Lands: American and Chinese, 1861
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique Edo Woodblock, People from Foreign Lands: American and Chinese, 1861 The work Year: Bunkyu 1st year Dimensions: Large Printing: Good Yoshiiku was a disciple of Kuniyoshi and...
Porcelain
Antique Metal Japanese Tsuba Tosogu with Chinese Coins
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nicely made Tsuba. The piece is unmarked. Dating to the Edo period Provenance: Collected in the 1920's. Thence by decent A Tsuba is a Japanese sword mountings are the various housi...
Metal, Bronze
Antique Ko-Kutani Edo Period Japanese Porcelain Dish Arita, 17th Century
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A very nice leaf shaped polychrome dish of moulded shape. Unusual shape and painting. Early Edo period. Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Japanese Style: Kutani...
Porcelain
Japanese Nihonga Painting 19th Meiji Scroll Ukiyo-E Lady picking Clams
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Product Description This piece depicts a beautiful woman with her skirts rolled up as she hunts for clams on a shallow shore , giving it an indescribably impressive expression....
Silk
Set of Antique Japanese Edo Arita Bowls Porcelain Vases Ormulu Mounted, 1680
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A nice and beautiful example of A pair of Japanese Arita bowls Mounted or Oromulu-mounted. The bowl has a fantastic decoration. Edo 17th century Additional information: Material: Po...
Porcelain
Manju Netsuke in red lacquer carved using tsuishu technique
Located in PARIS, FR
Manju-type netsuke (round in shape) in red lacquer, carved using the tsuishu technique, depicting a shōjō (young girl) standing before a waterfall. Round or oval in form, the manju netsuke...
Lacquer
Set of Five Antique Ao-Oribe Ceramic Dishes with Tomobako Edo Period
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of five Japanese ceramic dishes in an inscribed tomobako box. These dishes were made in the types of Ko-Oribe (Old-Oribe) and dated in the early to middle 19th century (end of Edo period) serving as Mukozuke dished for multiple-course kaiseki cuisine. Ko-Oribe ware were made during Momoyama period (15-16th century) as a subtype of Mino ware and favored by tea master for their irregular and organic spirit. In slightly irregular oval shape and average 7.5" by 6.5", one edge of these dishes is covered in a pleasant irregular sliver of deep green glaze (therefore these are also known as Ao-Oribe, Green-Oribe). The main surface is covered in a white glaze with fine crackles and decorated in the center with a motif of fern branch in a grey-black glaze. The glaze has a sheen indicating a high concentration of magnesium. The five dishes vary subtly in shape, color and hand-applied glazing and paint pattern, The foot supports were cut short and remain unglazed revealing a whitish buff-ware like clay underneath. The set of Mukozuke dishes retains its original tomobako. On the lid, ink kanji inscription reads: Ko (old)-Seto, Mukozuke for Five, Shotoken (presumably the name of a high-end dining or tea house establishment where the dishes were collected and belonged). For a comparable Mukuzuke Oribe dish...
Ceramic, Wood
Antique Metal Japanese Tsuba Tosogu with Buddhist Literati in Landscape
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nicely made Tsuba. The piece is unmarked. Dating to the Edo period Provenance: Collected in the 1920's. Thence by decent A Tsuba is a Japanese sword mountings are the various housi...
Metal, Bronze
Antique Metal Japanese Tsuba Tosogu with Buddhist Clouds in Silver
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nicely made Tsuba. The piece is unmarked. Dating to the Edo period Provenance: Collected in the 1920's. Thence by decent A Tsuba is a Japanese sword mountings are the various housi...
Metal, Bronze
Japanese Seated Portrait of a Zen Master, c. 1800
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th century Japanese sculpture likely portrays an accomplished teacher of Japanese Zen Buddhism. Developed from wood with a polychrome finish, this monk is expertly carved with...
Wood